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Harris demands action on toothless truck licensing policy

October 20, 2014

Queens Park – Continued dither and delay on lax standards and enforcement for truck licensing only further jeopardizes the safety of Ontario motorists according to PC Transportation Critic and Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Michael Harris.

Harris stood on the first day of question period to demand action by Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca in the wake of revelations that some unregulated schools are failing to train truckers properly, while some Drive Test Centres are not even testing according to ministry policy.

“This government has been asleep at the wheel for more than a decade while the safety of Ontario motorists has been jeopardized by lax standards and enforcement for truck licensing,” Harris explained. “It’s Minister Del Duca’s responsibility as Transportation Minister to ensure safety on our roads, and yet we continue to see government spinning its wheels while untrained truckers earn their license to roll down our highways.”

Further to the Minister’s incompetency in allowing unregulated schools to turn out untrained drivers, a recent Toronto Star report indicated that during a dozen road tests at the Woodbridge Drive Test Centre, not one learner was taken on a 400 series expressway, contravening ministry policy.

“We have unregulated schools improperly training, and test centres improperly testing – all under the watch of a Minister who has yet to lift a finger to fix this mess.” Harris stated. “The Minister couldn’t even tell Ontarians whether he felt truck trainees should have to drive on the highway to earn their license!”

Harris pointed out that further delay to act only damages the reputation of reputable schools and drivers, while continuing to compromise driver safety.

“This is not another issue that this government can continue to kick down the road – we need action now.” noted Harris. “When will this Minister at least live up to his responsibilities by ensuring his own Test Centres are properly licensing drivers of 40 ton rigs for the conditions they will face on our area highways?”